1. RESTRICTIONS WITH CARRY-ON BAGGAGE The Transportation Security Administration (a division of US Department of Homeland Security) has recently revised its restrictions on items in carry-on luggage for flights originating in the US. Due to enhanced security measures liquids, gels, lotions and other items of similar consistency will not be permitted in carry-on baggage. These types of items must be packed in your checked baggage.
These are some tips to avoid spills inside your suitcase:
* Liquids and gels should be in plastic containers, stowed inside clear zippered plastic bags for ease of inspection by TSA officials.
* Squeeze all the air out of any liquid or gel containers to avoid leaks, as products expand in flight.
* Pack liquids and gels near the hinge of a suitcase to minimize movement.
These are some notable exceptions:
* Baby formula and breast milk are allowed in your carry-on baggage or personal items. You can take these through the security checkpoints and aboard your plane. However, you must be traveling with a baby or toddler. All items including formula or breast milk will be inspected.
* Liquid prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger's ticket, up to 5 oz. of liquid or gel low blood sugar treatment, including juice; and up to 4 oz. of non-prescription liquid medications including saline solution, eye care products and KY jelly are permitted.
* Gel-filled bras and similar prosthetics
* Gel-filled wheelchair cushions
* Life support and life sustaining liquids such as bone marrow, blood products, and transplant organs carried for medical reasons
More details are published on the Transportation Security Administration web site. Make sure to visit http://www.tsa.gov/ for the latest restrictions before packing your carry-on luggage and reaching an airport security check point.
2.HEALTH INSURANCE WHILE TRAVELING When traveling overseas, check your health insurance. Many policies won't cover you once you leave the U.S. If you need insurance, there are a number of companies that offer travel coverage plans. Please call me at 888-339-4400 and we can discusess which plans will meet your personal needs.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Travel Tip Tuesday / September 23rd,2008
1.AIRLINES' SEAT POCKETS Before you stick your hand into the seat pocket in front of you, think about what the last few passengers may have left in there. They are the dumping ground for everything from rotten food to used diapers. It may surprise you to learn that aircraft are given a "deep cleaning" only once a month. How "deep" is still the question. Planes are "tightly cleaned" between flights (obvious trash picked up, crumbs brushed off) and "cleaned" overnight (toilets, galley, seatback pockets emptied, floors vacuumed). So before you put your hand in someone's used Kleenex, think twice before reaching into the seat pocket - and don't even ask me about the pillows and blankets. Yuk.
2. GETTING THE BEST SEAT ON THE PLANE Why do airlines only reserve seats for you if you remember to ask? By the time you remember, the good ones are gone. To get the better coach seats, you want to avoid the restrooms and galleys because they're busy with lots of traffic. The seats in the last row and in front of exits often don't recline, Middle seats are cramped. Bulkheads have more leg room, becuase no one reclines into your lap, Window seats have a view but less head room or aisle access. Show up when the counter opens to get the desirable exit row. Each airline configures its aircraft differently, so check out www.seatguru.com before your next flight for the scoop on which seats to ask for.
2. GETTING THE BEST SEAT ON THE PLANE Why do airlines only reserve seats for you if you remember to ask? By the time you remember, the good ones are gone. To get the better coach seats, you want to avoid the restrooms and galleys because they're busy with lots of traffic. The seats in the last row and in front of exits often don't recline, Middle seats are cramped. Bulkheads have more leg room, becuase no one reclines into your lap, Window seats have a view but less head room or aisle access. Show up when the counter opens to get the desirable exit row. Each airline configures its aircraft differently, so check out www.seatguru.com before your next flight for the scoop on which seats to ask for.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Travel Tip Tuesday September 16th ,2008
1. TRAVEL AGENTS VS. ONLINE BOOKING Who can take care of refunds and changes when you’ve booked your trip online? Don’t be surprised when the answer is no one. All that time spent online is doubled when you have to get on the phone and make a change. Forget the refund, as online specials are usually non-refundable. Need help overseas? I cringe for you. Internet specials are great until you have a problem or need to make changes. That’s where travel agents are lifesavers, especially if you’re out of the country. Definitely go online to do research. Compare prices and look at hotel photos & airline seating charts. But for an expensive or complicated itinerary, use a travel agent. And pack their cell phone number.
2. YOUR CREDIT CARD IS REFUSED OVERSEAS You’re having dinner at the Eiffel Tower when your credit card is refused. Furious, you spend an hour calling home to discover your card was shut down due to suspicious activity- someone has been using it in France! Since no one called the credit card company back when they left you a message at your home, the account was frozen “for your protection.” Let’s get one thing straight- it wasn’t for your protection. You have limited liability. It was the credit card company covering their rear and they do it all the time. To avoid this, call your credit card companies and inform them of your travel dates & destinations, take travelers checks and travel with more than one card.
3. PROTECTING YOUR PASSPORT Now that you have your passport for travel to the Caribbean and Mexico you need to take steps to avoid it being lost or stolen. Immediately make several copies. Leave one copy at home, put two copies in your carry on bag, and leave one copy with someone who could fax it to you if yours is lost or stolen. In case yours disappears, a copy of your passport will significantly speed up the time it takes to get a replacement, especially overseas. I prefer hard copies but some people scan their passports to file on their laptop. In your hotel, put your passport in the hotel safe with the majority of your credit cards and carry one of the copies with you for shopping and money changing.
2. YOUR CREDIT CARD IS REFUSED OVERSEAS You’re having dinner at the Eiffel Tower when your credit card is refused. Furious, you spend an hour calling home to discover your card was shut down due to suspicious activity- someone has been using it in France! Since no one called the credit card company back when they left you a message at your home, the account was frozen “for your protection.” Let’s get one thing straight- it wasn’t for your protection. You have limited liability. It was the credit card company covering their rear and they do it all the time. To avoid this, call your credit card companies and inform them of your travel dates & destinations, take travelers checks and travel with more than one card.
3. PROTECTING YOUR PASSPORT Now that you have your passport for travel to the Caribbean and Mexico you need to take steps to avoid it being lost or stolen. Immediately make several copies. Leave one copy at home, put two copies in your carry on bag, and leave one copy with someone who could fax it to you if yours is lost or stolen. In case yours disappears, a copy of your passport will significantly speed up the time it takes to get a replacement, especially overseas. I prefer hard copies but some people scan their passports to file on their laptop. In your hotel, put your passport in the hotel safe with the majority of your credit cards and carry one of the copies with you for shopping and money changing.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Travel Tips Tuesday September 9th
1. SHIPPING TIPS If you use a credit card for a purchase or service overseas, keep your receipts and double check your bill. There are thousands of mistakes on international credit card purchases, but unfortunately, there's very little recourse. One common problem is receiving defective merchandise that has been shipped. The law only protects you if it was shipped within your home state or if you lived within one hundred miles of the mailing address. Therefore, don't ship without good insurance. And what about the merchant who adds extra zeroes or moves the decimal point to increase the charge? This happens all the time. You must notify your credit card company in writing within 60 days. You'll also need to send a copy to the appropriate federal agencies as well, and believe it or not, the Director of Tourism of the offending country. Often the promise of bad publicity from an American tourist can nudge the merchant to withdraw.
2. DECLARE YOUR ITEMS You're required by U.S. Law to declare all items acquired in other countries. That includes repairs to items you took with you and any gifts you may have received. You'll fill out a customs declaration form when reentering the United States. Keep a record of what you acquire abroad and keep your receipts. Take the necessary time to register any foreign-made jewelry or electronic equipment at the customs office before you leave, to prove you didn't buy them on the trip. Appraisals, receipts, insurance policies, and permanently affixed numbers are proof of prior ownership. If you fail to register these items, you may be required to pay a duty on them when you return home. The most important thing you can do is be informed. Believe me, this is the one situation where honesty is the best policy!
2. DECLARE YOUR ITEMS You're required by U.S. Law to declare all items acquired in other countries. That includes repairs to items you took with you and any gifts you may have received. You'll fill out a customs declaration form when reentering the United States. Keep a record of what you acquire abroad and keep your receipts. Take the necessary time to register any foreign-made jewelry or electronic equipment at the customs office before you leave, to prove you didn't buy them on the trip. Appraisals, receipts, insurance policies, and permanently affixed numbers are proof of prior ownership. If you fail to register these items, you may be required to pay a duty on them when you return home. The most important thing you can do is be informed. Believe me, this is the one situation where honesty is the best policy!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Travel Tips
1. GETTING AROUND AIRLINES EXCESS BAGGAGE FEES Skycaps used to comment on my bag. “Whaddya got in there, bricks?” Even today, I still pack my “essentials.” Aside from a few extra shoes, that includes all those liquids and gels. Where else do you put them? Add up the toiletries, instant coffee, immersion heater, protein bars, white noise/alarm clock, extension cord, makeup mirror, curling iron, small flashlight, adaptors, converters and chargers, and it’s a heavy bag. “Yeah, bricks,” I used to answer. But today, I take two half empty bags, splitting the weight. You pay steep excess fees for one bag a few pounds heavy, and nothing for two bags,( International flights ) each under the limit. Hey, it works for me-there’s room to shop.
2. SHIP YOUR LUGGAGE AHEAD How many times have you sighed, “If only I could travel with just a carry-on bag I’d save two hours at the airport!” Well, you can do just that and ship your bag ahead. You can have it waiting for you at the hotel when you arrive before the baggage carousel starts to turn. At least six companies now specialize in shipping luggage door to door. But since luggage heaven comes at a price, the three main overnight shipping companies ship luggage too, at a much lower price than the luggage shipping specialists. Ship a day early, so you can make sure your bag arrives before you do.
2. SHIP YOUR LUGGAGE AHEAD How many times have you sighed, “If only I could travel with just a carry-on bag I’d save two hours at the airport!” Well, you can do just that and ship your bag ahead. You can have it waiting for you at the hotel when you arrive before the baggage carousel starts to turn. At least six companies now specialize in shipping luggage door to door. But since luggage heaven comes at a price, the three main overnight shipping companies ship luggage too, at a much lower price than the luggage shipping specialists. Ship a day early, so you can make sure your bag arrives before you do.
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